China's defense ministry urges Philippine side to stop risky provocations

BEIJING, May 15 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese defense spokesperson on Thursday urged the Philippine side to stop any risky infringements and provocations.

Jiang Bin, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks when asked to comment on the Philippines' frequently dispatching frigates in an attempt to intrude into the territorial sea of China's Huangyan Dao, while falsely accusing Chinese military vessels of taking high-risk maneuvers.

Reaffirming that Huangyan Dao is China's inherent territory, Jiang said that the Philippine military vessels attempted to intrude into the territorial sea of China's Huangyan Dao in recent days.

In response, the Chinese side took necessary measures to stop and dispel them, which was completely legitimate, legal, professional and restrained, he stressed, adding that the Philippine side's actions were highly irresponsible, and severely threatened China's sovereignty and security by approaching Chinese vessels in a dangerous manner.

Jiang called on the Philippine side to refrain from challenging China's firm resolve in safeguarding territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. Otherwise, it will only taste the bitter fruit of its own doing, Jiang said.